fingerprint door looks

Fingerprint systems were installed on most laptops a few years back and were abandoned due to problems. Fingerprint dirt on the screen were one problem. I suspect a few locked out of their own laptop resulted in dropping the idea.

I use Schlage keypad deadbolts and they work great! I tired some other brands (the ones with the four AA batteries) and what a piece of junk. New batteries required every 3-4 months. Need ones that do not do much mechanism moving (like the deadbolt) off the battery energy. The Schlage 9v battery last about 2-3 years so far.

I'm looking for recommendations on keyless entry systems for home. In the past I had built my own keypad entry system. I just got my hands on a basic keypad and electric strike, and I controlled it with the Mac mini that controlled everything else in the house. I'm moving now and want to play with a fingerprint scanner. The kids can't forget or share codes and they won't lose keys. The all in one units with lockset and integrated fingerprint reader seem like the easier solution. Can anyone recommend one?

This one seems to have a good feature set and a decent price:

Does anyone have any experience with it? Any other suggestions?

The down sides of this:

• It doesn't look like it records which person opened the lock. That's not a critical thing, but it's nice to have a log of who's been in and out. (and maybe even what time the kids came home.)

• If I built a system with a fingerprint reader that I could tie to a computer, it could have different behaviors based on who opens the door. Maybe it would send a text to let me know that the kids are home, or a contractor doing work shows up.

• I'm sure others in this group can appreciate this. If it works out of the box, there's no tinkering for me to do. (Yeah, it will be more reliable than something I build that relies on a computer, but what fun is that?)

Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks for the response. I see your point. The one I was looking at

does have a keypad also so I'm not stuck if one method of entry fails, but I agree, if the fingerprint scanner isn't going to be reliable, it's not worth spending money on. I was hoping in the last few years that the scanners have improved.

This does look good. I see Schlage also has their LiNK systems that would give me the user notification piece, but they're subscription-based. Is there another similar setup that would notify me on my local network of someone entering. From there, I can send my own notifications or act in any different way I want, perhaps even turning on a light. I know there are other ways of turning on a light, but I just like the idea of different components being integrated (if it won't cost me a fortune).

Yes, I think the same way about integrating the whole world into a "control" system too.

The X10 system was about the best I had but there are so many better ways of doing it, probably, now. Other guys use newer and improved systems that support X10 and I will upgrade one day when I get more time. I have anoisy electrical system so the X10 doesn't work well but....

I used the X10 wireless motion detectors. The wireless stuff is very unreliable though. I follow most of my motion detectors with a CPU generated "OFF" command in a longest time desirable so that it follows the motion detector's off signal. This gives me some insurance of lights not staying on forever. Another all off signal is issued in the middle of the night each night, also. I have about 4 good wireless motion detectors out of 12 or so. The yield wasn't good at all. Another problem was the receivers send out bad codes occasionally. I have about 4 out of 6 receivers that have become unreliable over the years. They will jam all the other units when they constantly send garbage. Wired motions would be best but they are not bad for night lights etc...

With a motion detector you can tell if a person has entered a room on your computer and turn on a light. Sequences of travel can be determined with several in different rooms.

eg. If MOTION_OUTSIDE then DELAY(60 sec) if NOT DOORBELL_RING then TURN_ON(LAWN_SPRINKLER) endif endif

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"Larry Moss" wrote in message news:ipeij5$ju1$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me... This does look good. I see Schlage also has their LiNK systems that would give me the user notification piece, but they're subscription-based. Is there another similar setup that would notify me on my local network of someone entering. From there, I can send my own notifications or act in any different way I want, perhaps even turning on a light. I know there are other ways of turning on a light, but I just like the idea of different components being integrated (if it won't cost me a fortune).

I used X10 pretty extensively in the old house. I never liked it. I had all the problems you discuss and was always working on amplifying X10 signals or filtering noise whenever any new device got added anywhere. But at least, with constant and careful tweaking, I kept it working. Now that I'm moving, I want to start over with something better since there are other options now. It's been a while since I really followed this group, so I need to get up to speed on my options again.

Since my immediate need is the door lock, I thought I'd use that as a starting place. If I can find a decent lockset that integrates with another home system, that might be the push I need toward a particular platform. I'm not afraid of homebrew stuff for non-mission critical elements either. That would actually make the whole process more fun. (I want to learn about arduino or similar platforms and thought using them for a home automation project might be a way to do it.)

You went quite a bit into motion detection for lighting. While that might be nice, I'm actually more interested in knowing who entered the house, and not that there's a person there. I have small kids that are just now getting big enough to start allowing them a little more freedom. I don't necessarily need to be there the moment the bus arrives, but it would be nice to know that they made it home. The low tech solution is they walk in the door and call me to say they're home, but there has to be an easy approach to this since I'm going to be changing the locks anyway. (Keys are not a good solution for these kids. One of them loses his glasses on the way to the bathroom. :-) )

LOL You're a control freak!

I never gave my kids any keys. They entered through the garage with a standard wireless keypad, into the mudroom with a mechanical, autolocking, programmable combo lock (was brutally expensive years ago). The only danger in a storm or bad weather was a power failure to enter the garage. We had a garage door key hidden under the deck for them...may be still there??...LOL

WIth the combo locks the first thing their friends do is to try to beat them and spy when they press the code in. The kids also like to show off to their friends and show them. First hint of that and the combos were changed each time. They grow out of that.

The electronic Schlage ones I have in this new house take many combos. Guest passwords are easily installed and dismissed again. It is nice to allow deliveries into the garage but not into the house although most of my tools are there.

A webcam with special software may be your answer. Some will "ring" the other end when motion is detected but a monthly service fee is always the drawback on that one.

The lighting things was mostly for stairs lights for guests staying over and late or night lights. If you get up to pee the light turns on and the motion det. turns it off in 2 minutes. If it is dark outside CPU sends an off signal after about 30 seconds.

Another cool thing was a "somebody home" macro. If nobody was home that night (based on Mot Det and button sensing all over the house) and based on a partial random times sequences of lights went on and off starting upstairs and working there way down to the porch light and then back to bed again. This worked so well a few neighbours knowing I was away for a week or two had a meeting on our front lawn whether to call the cops when nobody would answer the door...LOL

I am looking forward into getting back into it but the co-gen inverter noise is a pest with this stuff. A better system is in order for sure.

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Since my immediate need is the door lock, I thought I'd use that as a starting place. If I can find a decent lockset that integrates with another home system, that might be the push I need toward a particular platform. I'm not afraid of homebrew stuff for non-mission critical elements either. That would actually make the whole process more fun. (I want to learn about arduino or similar platforms and thought using them for a home automation project might be a way to do it.)

You went quite a bit into motion detection for lighting. While that might be nice, I'm actually more interested in knowing who entered the house, and not that there's a person there. I have small kids that are just now getting big enough to start allowing them a little more freedom. I don't necessarily need to be there the moment the bus arrives, but it would be nice to know that they made it home. The low tech solution is they walk in the door and call me to say they're home, but there has to be an easy approach to this since I'm going to be changing the locks anyway. (Keys are not a good solution for these kids. One of them loses his glasses on the way to the bathroom. :-) )

Not at all. Well, not too much. Well, maybe a little. :-)

Actually, the kids are just young. I want to give them a little more freedom, or the illusion of freedom so they can learn to be more independent. My hope is that in a few years when the first one reaches high school, he'll know enough and I'll trust that's he's learned enough that I really don't have to follow him or know everything he's doing. But I want to give even the youngest one the feeling that it's her house too. She can unlock the door to get inside (even if we all just got out of the car together).

The situation I was referring to before though, was one where I'm leaving work late because I lost track of time, get stuck in traffic on the way to get home before the school bus and I miss the bus by two minutes. If the kids can't get into the house, the driver can't drop them off. The bus doesn't come at a consistent time every day, so I don't actually know if I've missed the bus when I get back. So far I've never actually missed the bus, but it's been close. And if there's a babysitter involved, it is sort of nice to know when they get home. I'm not too much of a control freak. I won't use a nanny cam to spy on them. I just want small assurances that everything is ok.

It's nice to know that they grow out of that. That's one of the things I'm worried about. If there are no combos, there's nothing to be shared. It's not even that I don't trust my kids or their friends. There are times I give temporary combos out to other people because that's easier than meeting them at the door. I have no problem with that. Just trying to keep things simple.

Nah. Don't need special software or monthly service for those. At least not the ones I'm using. I'm using a cheap linksys wifi cam in my studio that grabs a shot on motion detection. I use it more to build time lapse videos of projects I work on than for security (but the latter is nice). Here's the studio cam:

won't see me there now. I'm home. The bus already showed up. :-) ) Here's one of the time lapses from that cam: it be too spammy a thing to do to mention a kickstarter project I have going now that shows another cool timelapse? (Link available if it wouldn't be out of line.)

It's also set up to put the latest pic on my web site for others to watch what I'm building when in the middle of projects. I could have that trigger other actions as well. But I don't really like the idea of cameras around the house. Even if they're just detecting motion, as an artist and entertainer, I spend my days in front of cameras all the time. Having them follow me home feels creepy. (And, whatever it may have sounded like before, I'm not a control freak and don't want anyone else in the house to feel like they're being spied on.)

:-)

All your wishes are what I went though and tries to accomplish the same thing.

We had a very loud garage door opener and talked about replacing it but liked the idea we knew what time the kids got home.

The "control freak" was more about the "controls" you like to experiment with, not the control you want to exert, like controlling the world not the people.

The webcam sounds good. Will it auto email or transmit the picture after motion? Can you get access to it remotely?

Not at all. Well, not too much. Well, maybe a little. :-)

It can do either. I have it ftp the image to my web server so it's available immediately. The page I mentioned before has the most recent image from the camera. It has email as an option, but I haven't played with it.

It has a built in webserver, so as long as I have a way of reaching my network, I can get to it. I use dyndns.org for dynamic DNS so I can reach my network. They offer their own service as well, but I like what I'm doing.

It's a Cisco/Linksys Wireless camera for about $100. I'll find the model number if you care.

I am not sure about leaving a server running 24/7 for that but... OTOH I want to set up a home control system again, someday and will need to leave a low power unit on.

Thanx but not for right now. I would lose it anyway, in the meantime. I would probably remember your name more than the model info.

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It has a built in webserver, so as long as I have a way of reaching my network, I can get to it. I use dyndns.org for dynamic DNS so I can reach my network. They offer their own service as well, but I like what I'm doing.

It's a Cisco/Linksys Wireless camera for about $100. I'll find the model number if you care.

Just a note to say that I have 4 Schlage locks (2 deadbolts and 2 lever) working great with the keypad and email notifications etc WITHOUT the LiNK service from Schlage. All their stuff works on the Z-wave format. I use a router/z-wave module from micasaverde (Vera 2 is the one i have but they have just come out with an update - vera 3!) Check them out at

Through this $238 or $299 box you can communicate for free with any z-wave item within your house. I use mine to link to lights (over 15 sets), locks, blinds and thermostat. No monthly fees once you have the stuff. I also manage our rental property with the same system so i can provide codes to renters that they will remember and i can delete once they are out.

The added kicker is that squareconnect also links up with this system so that I can use old iphones/ ipod touchs and an ipad to control my TVs and all other entertainment equipment through wifi as well as my z-wave stuff. i.e - one remote control for the whole house. The controllers from squareconnect are pricy but work so well. Check them out at

Hope that is helpful.